The Canyon

COME MARVEL AT ROCKS OF WONDER AT THE CANYON

Bigger, ‘boulder’ and more beautiful. Here’s your opportunity to discover The Canyon, the Gardens’ newest attraction featuring the largest collection of sculptural rocks along a 400-metre-long dragon-shaped trail.

Under the masterful direction of established landscape architect Jun-ichi Inada, The Canyon brings together more than 60 one-of-a-kind ancient rock forms sourced from Shandong, China.

Be in awe of the rocks’ naturally intriguing shapes and imposing sizes which stand out against the surrounding backdrop of the Cooled Conservatories. Adding to the exotic appeal are 200 plant species unique to arid regions, as well as four mystical sculptures in the form of a giant dragonfly, a metal dragon and two Chinese totems.

Open daily:
5.00am - 2.00am

Free admission

Hours & Admission

Open daily: 5.00am - 2.00am

Free admission

UNIQUE PLANTS FROM ARID LANDS

BEAKED YUCCA (YUCCA ROSTRATA)

Sporting narrow, powder-blue leaves that eventually form a skirt of withered leaves around its stem, the Beaked Yucca is often trimmed at the skirt for a more manicured look. Its tall inflorescence bears cream-white flowers with buds that resemble a beak, thus giving it its name.

UNIQUE PLANTS FROM ARID LANDS

CARNAUBA WAX PALM (COPERNICIA PRUNIFERA)

Originating from the savannah, the Carnauba Wax Palm is able to withstand both droughts and floods. Its common name comes from heat-resistant wax that can be harvested from its greyish-green leaves. The palm’s persistent leaf bases make it a popular choice for tropical landscaping.

UNIQUE PLANTS FROM ARID LANDS

COCKSPUR CORAL TREE (ERYTHRINA CRISTA-GALLI)

The keel of the red flowers belonging to this subtropical tree resembles the sharp spur on a cock’s feet, hence its name. The Cockspur Coral Tree has root nodules that houses nitrogen-fixing bacteria. The two organisms form a symbiotic relationship, where the bacteria produce nitrogen compounds in exchange for organic substances.

UNIQUE PLANTS FROM ARID LANDS

DOUM PALM (HYPHAENE THEBAICA)

Easily recognisable by the sharply divided branching of its stem, the Doum Palm exhibits a characteristic uncommon in most palm species. Amongst tribes who live along the Niger and Nile Rivers, the palm’s leaves are significant as they are used to weave anything from baskets, mats and textiles, to brooms and ropes.

UNIQUE PLANTS FROM ARID LANDS

GRASS TREE (XANTHORRHOEA GLAUCA)

As an iconic Australian plant essential to Aboriginal culture, this bizarre-looking tree has grass-like leaves and a blackened stem – an indication of its ability to withstand intense bush fires. From the charred leaf bases, new leaves will sprout.

UNIQUE PLANTS FROM ARID LANDS

MOORE’S CYCAD (MACROZAMIA MOOREI)

Growing up to seven metres in height, the Moore’s Cycad is the tallest-growing species in the Macrozamia genus. With a thick, stout trunk and elegant, curved leaves, this cycad is often mistaken for a Date Palm. It is also known to be a hardy species, able to recover even after being transplanted bare rooted.

UNIQUE PLANTS FROM ARID LANDS

POCHOTE (CEIBA SCHOTTII)

Like all Ceiba species, the Pochote produces cotton fibres within its seed pod. Its trunk is relatively shorter as compared to other species and is covered in stout spines, even on younger trees. White, slender flowers that give off a vanilla-like fragrance are borne from this plant.

UNIQUE PLANTS FROM ARID LANDS

TATARÉ (CHLOROLEUCON TORTUM)

Also known as the Brazilian Rain Tree, the Tataré is an attractive ornamental tree known for its twisted trunk and peeling bark that reveals an inner layer of contrasting colours. It produces white and fragrant powderpuff flowers that eventually turn yellow.

UNIQUE PLANTS FROM ARID LANDS

YELLOW RAIN TREE (ALBIZIA SAMAN ‘YELLOW’)

As a result of a mutation caused by recessive genes, the Yellow Rain Tree is a yellow cultivar of its green counterpart. It is a rare tree to obtain since the odds of growing one is one in every thousand seeds sown.

SCULPTURES

DRAGONFLY

Dragonflies are naturally drawn to healthy ecosystems. Similarly, this giant dragonfly crafted from salvaged metal is a symbol of Gardens by the Bay and represents the Gardens’ environmental sustainability efforts. Designed by Italian sculptor Simone Belotti, this sculpture is a donation from Ms Juanita Foo.

SCULPTURES

MARCO DRAGO

This metal dragon is inspired by an original story by Mr John Koh. The tale follows a dragon named Marco Drago as it journeyed to the East and found its way to Gardens by the Bay. A work of Italian sculptor Simone Belotti, this sculpture is donated by Mr Koh.

SCULPTURES

HUABIAO (CHINESE TOTEM)

The Huabiao is an ornamental stone column often seen in classical Chinese architecture. It was used by the early Chinese as road signage. Traditionally crafted out of marble or jade, it features an intricately carved dragon coiled around the column as a symbol of authority and prosperity.

At The Canyon, there are two modern interpretations crafted out of granite. The taller of the two stands at 10 metres and towers over the placid waters of Marina Bay.